After the scandal about the felled trees in Klaipėda – changes

This issue became extremely relevant after the scandal that broke out last week, when six lime trees were cut down in K. Donelaitis Square. Members of the public questioned whether there was really a need to cut down these trees, because the stumps of some of them spoke volumes – the trees were healthy.

VIDEO: Lime trees have been cut down on K. Donelaichio street in Klaipėda

“The commission that decides whether or not to cut down the trees made such a decision on its own, and it seems that the long-established traditions are still valid in the whole municipality, when departmental specialists and separately formed commissions make decisions without consulting the city government. Unfortunately, this will have to end no matter how much others may not like it. In the near future, I will call specialists to get objective material and methods, as it was established that the trees were really in a bad condition,” the mayor said then.

Now the committee has reached the decision to change the regulations of the commission. It turns out that this commission, which was so criticized by the mayor, was headed by the head of the municipality’s Environmental Department, Rasa Jievaitienė.
According to the proposed new procedure, the commission would consist of a head, a deputy and no more than ten members. At least half of the members of the commission would be representatives of the public, whose selection would be organized by the Department of Environmental Protection.

Teodoros Biliūnas/BNS photo/Vidmantas Dambrauskas

Commissioners would receive remuneration for their work. It is estimated that a member of the commission would receive about 535 euros per month for participating in the meetings and preparing for them.

Council member Vidmantas Dambrauskas raised the question whether in such a case the work can be called public if money is paid for it.

Photo by A. Vaitkaus. Trees are cut in K. Donelaitis square in Klaipėda

It is also expected that the conclusions of the commission would be promptly – within two working days – transferred to the mayor and the vice mayor in charge of the area.

V. Dambrauskas also had a comment on this matter. According to him, because of the cut down trees, criticism is usually aimed directly at the mayor and vice mayor, so it would be appropriate for the vice mayor to become the chairman of the commission. Then there would be no need for that additional procedure for providing conclusions.
Changes to the regulations will still have to be approved by the municipal council.